Effect of Lifestyle and Symptom Intensity Factors on the Severity of Lower Limbs Veins of Varicose Among Nurses in North Khorasan Hospitals, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery School, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Nursing, Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery School, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction:
Scarce data have been reported regarding the risk factors of lower limb varicose veins (VVs) in Iranian nurses. This study investigated the social and occupational parameters and lifestyle related to the development of VVs in a group of Iranian nurses.
Materials and Methods:
In the current cross-sectional study, 235 volunteered nurses filled the consent forms and were then examined by a vascular specialist. Varicose veins of the patient nurses were ranked based on Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological criteria. Afterward, the patients completed the lifestyle questionnaire.
Results:
In this study, there were 163 (69.4%), 64 (27.2%), and 8 (3.4%) cases with mild, moderate, and severe VVs. It was revealed that VVs severity had a significant relationship with age, laboring times, abortion times, and body mass index (P<0.005). It was also found that weight control and nutrition (odds ratio [OR] =3.76) and physical activity (OR=4.038) significantly affected the VVs intensity.
Conclusion:
This study highlighted lifestyle risk factors of VVs, which can be considered in improving the lifestyle and quality of life of nurses in long term.

Keywords


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